Dinner for two

If you could have dinner with any one person, dead or alive, who would it be and why?

I would have to go with Dr. Atkins. As for my reasoning, you’ll soon understand why.

The other day, I was on BBM with a friend and we were sharing our love for carbs. Chances are we’re not alone with this adoration. I mean, a fillet of salmon is great and I’m not one to turn down a hearty frittata, but nothing goes down like a bowl of oatmeal or pasta arrabiata– those 2 meals, my friend, are bliss in a bowl.

And why exactly do I want to dine with Dr. Atkins? So that I could punch him in the face (naturally while reaching into the bread basket :lol:) for putting these false notions about carbohydrates being the enemy. Sure it was a great money-making scheme but it’s a load of BS!  I was one of those suckers who attempted the Atkins diet: I represented every carnivore on the planet, experienced crazy mood swings, and spent ridiculous amounts of money on Atkins shakes & bars that tasted like ass. Indeed I lost weight…for all of 2 weeks. Those kilos came back on me like they never left 😳 .

For all those who embark on a weight loss journey by giving up carbs, I only have 1 thing to ask:

WHY???

Carbohydrates don’t make you fat…calories do! Sorry let me rephrase that, eating more calories than you’re expending causes weight gain. Whether you eat too many calories in the form of bread or grilled chicken, the weight is bound to creep on.  I eat carbs with every meal, night or day, and I couldn’t do without. To be honest, carbohydrates are why I enjoy eating healthy and how I’ve been able to maintain my weight. Before you start fantasizing about making bread and potatoes the bane of your existence, relax for a second. Here are my tips to eat carbs without piling on the weight:

• All carbs weren’t created equal: Choose low GI foods like oats, brown rice, sweet potatoes, quinoa, whole-wheat bread, and durum wheat pasta.  These foods are high in fibre which increase the full feeling and keep cravings at bay.
• Play cupid with your carbs.  By combining fat and protein with your higher GI carb meals, you can actually lower the carb’s ability to spike your insulin level.  Will eating a hamburger with your fries make everything ok?  Probably not but eating some lean fish or eggs with your potatoes sure will.
• Portion control: Carbs are an ingredient of your meal, not the basis of it.  A good rule of thumb that I stick to is filling my plate with ½ fruits & vegetables, ¼ carbs/starch, ¼ protein.
• Always, and I mean always, load up on veggies.  I’m not one of those dainty girls who can stop after a couple of forkfuls of pasta.  I like volume.  Loading my bowl up with veggies like mushrooms, spinach, broccoli, and peppers automatically reduces the quantity of pasta I eat without making me feel deprived.
• Be picky:  I very rarely touch refined carbs i.e. white carbs (bread, rice, flour, pasta).  Brown rice and white rice have the same calorie count but the latter is metabolized like sugar and does nothing for the body nutritionally.  Because refined products create such an exaggerated insulin response and are so easy to overeat, they have much less staying power and hence often lead to weight gain.
• Don’t knock high GI foods.  The notion of glycemic load takes quantity into account so while foods like white potatoes, bananas, and parsnips have a high GI value, their impact can be redeemed by consuming a smaller amount.

For those who are on a low-carb diet and want to introduce carbs back into their diet, you won’t be sorry. Also, trust me when I say ‘trust yourself’. Initially you will gain weight on the scales but that’s water weight, not fat weight. Within a few days, the numbers will sort themselves out and you’ll be happy. Yes, carbs are the root of happiness :).